Different types of machine screw and fasteners

A machine screw is used to join machine parts and therefore it is important to select the right machine screw and fastners. The length, thickness and type of screw head are important factors that have to be considered while selecting a machine screw. If you want durability, you should buy machines screws and fastners from a reputed manufacturer of machine screw or companies that are exporters of fastners. Let us have a look at some of the popular machine screws and fastners used in the machine manufacturing industry.
Machine screw
Most machines screws have oval, flat, round or fillister heads. These screws are used to screw into pre-threaded holes present in the metal. The coarse screws will have 24 threads per inch while the fine screws will have 32 threads per inch. The round head screws are the most commonly used machine screws. Machine screws are usually made out of iron/ steel. However, in some machines, SS machine screw will be used if required.
Self tapping screws
These screws are hybrids of sheet metal screws and machine screws. Self tapping screws used in machines are similar to machine screws, but with an addition of a tip that has thread cutting abilities. If the machine will be exposed to the elements or if it is a sophisticated machine, self tapping screws made of stainless steel is used. The SS self tapping screws can be used instead of the normal screw when durability is required.
Sheet metal screw
The sheet metal screw is used to fasten two thin metals. These screws will have threads for its entire length and are available in sizes ranging from 1/8 of an inch to 2 inches. Sheet metal screws can have round, flat, binding or oval heads.
Self clinching fastners
Self clinching fastners are devices that displace the host ductile material when pressed into it around the mounting hole. This will cause the metal to cold flow as an angular recess that is specially designed, in the pilot or shank of the fastner. People prefer self clinching fastners to caged or anchor nuts as they take less space and will facilitate easier assembly. These fastners have lower installation costs and can provide high torque out and push out resistance. Clinch studs and clinch nuts are commonly used in the manufacturing industry instead of regular studs and nuts. Installing clinch stud/nut requires technical knowledge as the amount of time the force is applied to the nut or stud determines the quality of the hold provided by it. Sufficient time has to be given for the cold flow clinching process to complete or else, the hold might not be strong.